From the Guidelines
Diethylcarbamazine (Hetrazan) should be dosed at 6 mg/kg in 3 divided doses for 14 days. This recommendation is based on the most recent guidelines for the treatment of lymphatic filariasis, as outlined in the 2025 UK guidelines for the investigation and management of eosinophilia in returning travellers and migrants 1.
Key Considerations
- The treatment should be given in combination with doxycycline PO 200 mg daily for 6 weeks 1.
- It is essential to exclude onchocerciasis and loiasis if the patient has travelled to co-endemic areas before initiating treatment with diethylcarbamazine.
- Patients should be monitored for potential adverse reactions, particularly during the first few days of treatment, as dying microfilariae can trigger inflammatory responses.
Administration and Monitoring
- The medication should be taken with meals to minimize gastrointestinal side effects.
- Patients should be advised to seek medical attention immediately if they experience any severe reactions or side effects.
- The treatment duration may vary depending on the specific parasitic infection being treated, but the recommended 14-day course is suitable for most cases of lymphatic filariasis.
From the Research
Tab Hetrazan Dose
- The term "Tab Hetrazan" is another name for Diethylcarbamazine (DEC), a medication used to treat filariasis.
- According to the studies, the dose of DEC varies:
- In the study 2, DEC was given at a dose of 6 mg/kg.
- In the study 3, DEC was given at a dose of 6 mg/kg.
- In the study 4, DEC was given at a dose of 6 mg/kg.
- In the study 5, DEC was given at a dose of 6 mg/kg as part of a combination therapy with ivermectin and albendazole.
- In the study 6, DEC was given at a weight-dosed treatment, but the exact dose is not specified.
Combination Therapy
- The studies also investigate the efficacy and safety of combination therapies involving DEC:
- The study 2 found that the combination of DEC and albendazole was effective in reducing microfilarial levels.
- The study 3 found that the combination of DEC, ivermectin, and albendazole was safe and effective in treating Bancroftian filariasis.
- The study 4 found that the addition of albendazole to DEC did not increase the frequency or intensity of adverse events.
- The study 5 found that a single dose of ivermectin, DEC, and albendazole was effective in clearing microfilariae, but not superior to standard treatment at 36 months.
- The study 6 found that the addition of ivermectin to DEC and albendazole did not improve efficacy in a setting of diurnally subperiodic filarial transmission.